- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Nic White described it as an “interesting one” and, indeed, it was. The Brumbies ran out huge 62-36 winners, but the final scoreline didn’t quite reflect their bonus-point win over Moana Pasifika.
After Moana Pasifika raced out to a surprising 14-3 head start, the lead swapped on multiple occasions in the first half.
Moana Pasfika even levelled the match up at 29-29 in the 43rd minute, before taking the lead after 52 minutes when Samiela Moli scored.
But the injection of a new front-row and halves Ryan Lonergan and Jack Debreczeni saw the Brumbies finish the game over the top of the visitors, as the home side crossed for four converted tries to seal a convincing win in the end.
Stephen Larkham’s men then showed enough awareness and defensive stout to hold Moana Pasfika out to secure a most-important bonus-point.
“We had to lay a platform,” acting captain Nic White said.
“We knew they were going to be a really physical side, a good side. They tested us and just a credit to our bench at the moment, it’s been a real strength of our game. The guys that are coming on are doing a great job and they came on today and really made an impact and finished the game.”
Andy Muirhead scored a double in the Brumbies’ bonus-point win over Moana Pasifika in Canberra. Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images
Larkham echoed his captain’s comments: “62 points, you’ve got to be happy. It was a hard-fought game, tight at half-time. Every time we got out to a lead they came back, and they had some big boys, we’ve got a bit to work on there in terms of our physicality and contact, but I thought the bench came on and really lifted the team, particularly our halves, Ryan and Jack, I thought they did a tremendous job when they came on.”
The Brumbies entered the clash missing two of their best players, with regular captain Allan Alaalatoa given another week on the sidelines following his concussion against the Blues in round two and excellent centre Len Ikitau a late withdrawal, too.
The Test duo will be crucial additions next week when the Brumbies travel to Christchurch to take on the Crusaders, who won a superb battle in the game of the season against the Blues at Eden Park.
But there was a cautionary tale, too.
The Brumbies, who look by far and away Australia’s best side in 2023 and have the depth and class in their squad to match it with anyone, will have to be much better against the Crusaders.
Those who watched the Crusaders edge out the Blues will have noticed the ferocious collisions, pressure with every play, including at the ruck, and lethal finishing.
Comparatively the Brumbies were slow out of the blocks and struggled with their defensive rolling-maul. They were saved by replacement front-rowers Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp and Tom Ross.
But their finishing, particularly inside the opposition 22, was first class.
Tom Wright was a standout and showed his rising maturity and class at fullback, while wings Andy Muirhead and Corey Toole were brilliant out wide and scored three tries between.
Ikitau’s return will be significant because with a brand new midfield combination, the attack didn’t quite fire in the first-half.
But with a powerful rolling maul, where Luke Reimar scored a first-half double, the pillars are in place for the Brumbies to head to Christchurch with plenty of confidence.
“We felt in control when we had the ball,” White said.
“We (struggled) in a few areas of exits and probably managing the middle of the field and turnover attack, which is going to be pretty important against some sides coming up.
“Look, the positives, I thought our attack was pretty sharp. We did a lot of the things we said we were going to do, so makes it easy to review.”
Former Brumby turned Moana Pasifika playmaker Christian Lealiifano lauded his former’s side ability to punish his side as well as their physicality.
“We came to Canberra with high ambitions,” Lealiifano said.
“Thirty-six points, you’d think you’d get close to winning a contest but the Brumbies were clinical man and we knew they were going to be and they put us to the sword late in the second half.
“They’re dangerous all around the park. The physical battle, we lost that tonight and the Brumbies turned up. It’s disappointing for us. That’s in our DNA to play physical and the Brumbies really matched up and overtook us in that aspect.”
Moana Pasifika score an early try against the Brumbies in Canberra. Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images
Loose-forward Miracle Faiilagi opened the scoring in the first minute when he got between two Brumbies runners and intercepted Noah Lolesio’s mid-field pass and ran 70 metres to score.
Lolesio looked to steady the ship when he banged over three points, but the Brumbies were under more pressure when Alamanda Motuga scored from a rolling maul.
Some slick work from Wright saw Tamati Tua score out wide before Pete Samu crashed over from close quarters.
The game looked like opening up when the visitors lost winger Timoci Tavatavanawai and Reimar scored his first try.
But a poor read in defence from White allowed William Havili to slice through at fullback and allow Fine Inisi to score a stunning try with 14 on the field.
Reimar’s second on the stroke of half-time, however, allowed the Brumbies to take the momentum into half-time.
The visitors once again raced out of the blocks to start the second half, as Motuga grabbed his second.
Selfless play from Pete Samu sent Murihead in, before Moli scored in the 52nd minute to give the home side a fright.
Ben O’Donnell celebrates his maiden Super Rugby try during the Brumbies’ big win over Moana Pasifika. Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images
But the injection of the finishers saw the Brumbies run over their opponents, as the Brumbies’ backline clicked and Debrecezni waltzed over to start to the final 20-minute blitz.
Muirhead’s second, Ben O’Donnell’s first try in Super Rugby and some more twinkle feet from Toole gave the home fans plenty to cheer about.
While it was hardly perfect, it was mission accomplished.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.